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Friday, April 4, 2014

Feeding Frenzy?

Each day more hummingbirds visit our feeders. So far I've seen only the Black-chinned Hummingbirds, but there are a couple of other species that might show up here.

I have 4 feeders in various locations outside our motorhome... our daughter, who house is maybe 100' behind us, has at least 4 feeders, maybe 5, hanging from their wrap-around porch. During the summer these feeders are filled daily... there is so much activity.

This morning, just as it was getting light, our feeders were bombarded with so many hummers I couldn't keep count. It was barely daylight and I had a time trying to adjust the camera's speed and light to accommodate their quick movements. I can easily count a dozen in some of my photos... but there were more.... zipping in and out of range... chasing each other from the feeders.... it looked like a real feeding frenzy!

The feeder that is nearly all red got the most activity. That feeder's been up the longest and maybe they're just more used to it. The striped feeder gets the least activity, although these two feeders are only a about 3-4' apart.

I have a feeder on our back window... it seems to get a constant flow of birds, but not nearly the activity of the red one.

And... my favorite feeder... the one just outside the window where Bill & I sit....

Look at the little bully perched on top. He claimed this one as his own and dive-bombs any other hummer that attempts to feed.

Although we have continual activity all day long, it is at daylight, and again at dusk that it just gets crazy.

One thing... I don't have to worry about the sugar water fermenting or otherwise going bad.... it just doesn't last that long!

I have never seen something like that! I thought they were too aggressive to get along. At my place there is usually one male controlling 3 feeders. He rushes down on every other hummingbird that might try and chases it away. Even when the little ones are coming in August, there are no more than one or two flying around, and NEVER sitting together. I would really love to see that kind of frenzy with my own eyes! Amazing.

About Me

I am Sharon Wallace, my husband is Bill Wethington. In January, 2001 we took possession of our 27' Lazy Daze Class C motor home and began our adventures as full-time RVers. Our first trip out was to volunteer with Alaska State Parks on the Kenai. Since then we have traveled in the lower 48, several Canadian Provinces, and spent several winters in various States of Mexico. We often volunteer at National Refuges throughout the USA. Our interests are varied: Bill has been doing genealogy research for about 25 years; we started geocaching in 2005; we are avid, but amateur birders; I enjoy photography..... the list goes on and on.
As you can see, the title of my blog can mean several different things... take it the way you want ;-)